Day 88

Joshua 19:49-21:45; 1 Chronicles 6:54-81.  “The Merciful and Gracious God”

         Our God is a god of justice and righteousness who cannot allow sin to go unpunished.  This has been very evident in the readings of the law where we see God’s high standards of holiness and moral living.  However, our God is also “the merciful and gracious God.”  He is “slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).  I think that the concept of the cities of refuge is a wonderful example of these character traits of God.
         In the Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9, God declares that anyone who commits murder must be killed (Genesis 9:5b-6).  Now in Joshua 20 we see God exercising grace and compassion on those who have killed unintentionally.
         As Christian brothers and sisters we continue to live with a sin nature that creeps up on us now and then.  Fortunately, the Merciful and Gracious God who established the cities of refuge is that same God whom we can go to for grace and forgiveness when we sin.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?